Photographic apparatus



p 1963 P. B. MASON ETAL 3,103,865

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 446M022 TO-RS BY 3 m QM 4 ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 P. B. MASON ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS "7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1962 EN vh- Ohm Sept. 17, 1963 P. B. MASON ETAL 3,103,865

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July :5, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet s wzw AT TO R N EY P.B.MASON ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Sept. 17, 1963 Filed July 5, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 wzm ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 P. B. MASON ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1962 ATTORNEYS p P. B. MASON ETAL A 3,103,865

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV o WW fikmv MW Wmu. ATTORNEYS Sept..17, 1963 P. B. MASON ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS T Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed July 3, 1962 United States Patent Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 3, 1962, Ser. No. 267,185 12 Claims. (Cl. 95-75) This invention relates to photographic apparatus and particularly to apparatus for exposing and thereafter processing a succession of areas of a photographic imagerecording sheet.

There are a number of different types of photographic apparatus including, for example, cameras and document-copying apparatus, in which a photosensitive imagerecording sheet is moved intermittently and a succession of areas thereof are exposed and then treated with a fluid to produce a visable image. The particular apparatus which is the concern of this application includes a pair of juxtaposed members for superposing successive exposed areas of the image-recording sheet with a second sheet and distributing a processing fluid between the sheets to forma sandwich as the sheets are moved through the apparatus between the juxtaposed members. Predetermined lengths of the sheets are moved intermittently through the apparatus and preferably between the juxtaposed members directly from the apparatus. Movement of the sheets is accomplished by engaging portions of the sandwich extending between the juxtaposed members (from the apparatus) and drawing the sheets through the apparatus between the juxtaposed members, with the motive power for this operation being supplied manually. After a portion of the sandwich including an exposed area of the image-recording sheet has been withdrawn between the juxtaposed members, the portion of the sandwich is severed from the remainder of the sandwich extending between the juxtaposed members.

In apparatus of this type, a quantity of the processing liquid is usually supplied between the sheet near the leading edge of each exposed area of the image-recording sheet, and the liquid is distributed between the sheets in contact with the exposed area toward the trailing edge thereof. The quantity of the liquid supplied is usually greater than that required to treat the exposed area so that provision must be made for collecting any liquid which is distributed beyond the trailing edge of each exposed area to prevent the liquid from being distributed in contact with the next successive exposed area. This is accomplished by spacing the juxtaposed fluid-distributing members apart from one another as portions of the sheets intermediate exposed areas are moved between the juxtaposed members.

An object of the invention is to provide, in photographic apparatus of the type described, a novel and improved device mounted for reciprocal movement relative to the juxtaposed members between predetermined positions for gripping and withdrawing predetermined lengths of the sandwich between the juxtaposed members and severing predetermined lengths of the sandwich from other portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for mounting the gripping and cutting device and locating the latter in position for severing a portion of the sandwich in which excess processing liquid is collected from another portion of the sandwich including an exposed area of the image-recording sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described in which the means for mounting the gripping and cutting device control the operations of said apparatus including means for spacing the juxtaposed members apart to collect excess processing liquid and means for providing the processing liquid between the sheets.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For :a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of photographic apparatus in the form of a document copier embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG URE 1 taken through a plane substantially midway be tween the sides thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the apparatus of FIGURE 1 with the housing thereof open and components of the apparatus shown in one of the operative positions thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view with parts broken away of a portion of the apparatus shown without the housing;

FIGS. 5 through 10 are fragmentary perspective views, partially in section, illustrating details of the construction of the apparatus;

FIGS. 1-1 through 15 are somewhat schematic, elevational views of the mechanism of the apparatus showing various operative positions thereof to illustrate the operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating the operation of components thereof; and

FIG. 17 is :a fragmentary plan view partially in section illustrating components of the apparatus.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein there is illustrated photographic apparatus in the form of a document-copying device incorporating the invention. The document copier shown differs from other forms of photographic exposure and processing apparatus, such as cameras, by virtue of the inclusion of means for superposing an original document to be copied with a photosensitive irnage-recording sheet and exposing the original and image-recording sheet to produce [an image record of the original. With the exception of the means for handling the original and the exposure device, the invention is capable of incorporation into apparatus such as a camera in substantially the same form for performing substantially the same functions in the same manner.

The document-copying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings comprises a generally parallelepiped-shaped housing designated 19 including an upper wall 12, lower wall 14, side walls 16 and end Walls 18 and 2h. The housing is formed in two sections designated an upper section 22 and a lower section 24, pivotable with respect to one another between a closed or operative position shown in FIGURE 1 and an open or inoperative position shown in FIG. 3, to permit loading of photographic materials into the housing. The mating portions of the side and end walls of the upper and lower housing sections are formed with engaging shoulders to prevent the admission of light into the housing when the housing is in closed position. The upper section of the housing is provided with two passages termed an entrance passage 26 and an exit passage 28 through which original docurnents are introduced into and withdrawn from the apparatus. The entrance passage, located closest to end wall 18, includes walls 30 converging to a narrow gap for guiding original documents into the housing into superposition with an image-recording sheet. 1 Exit passage 28 is located adjacent entrance passage 26 between 'the latter and end Wall 20 and is defined by walls 32 which guide original documents from the housing following exposure in superposition with an image-recording sheet. The lower section of the housing includes an end wall'33 located inwardly from end wall 20 so that the end of the upper housing section overhangs the lower housing section. End wall 33 is provided with a withdrawal opening 35 through which sheet materials treated within the apparatus can be withdrawn therefrom.

The document-copying apparatus, or a camera, incorporating the invention is of the type in which a succession of areas of a photosensitive image-recording sheet are photoexposed to produce images therein and each area, following exposure, is superposed with an area of a second sheet, and a liquid is distributed between the superposed areas of the two sheets to form a sandwich in which the image-recording sheet is processed to form a visible image. The preferred processing involves the exposure of an image-recording sheet comprising a gelatino silver halide carried on a flexible support sheet, and treatment of the emulsion with a liquid to produce a silver transfer image on the secondsheet by a silver halide diffusion-transfer reversal process. For examples of mate-rialsuseful in such processes, reference may be had to US. Patent No. 2,543,181, issued February 27, 1951, in the name of Edwin H. Land. I

The housing of the apparatus is intended primarily as a light-tight enclosure for the operating components of the apparatus which, for the most part, are mounted on .two frame members enclosed within the two housing I sections and movable with respect to one another together Y of side plates 38 and to extending upwardly from the base plate which rests on lower wall 14 of lower housing section 24. An upper frame 42 is provided comprising a base plate 4-4 disposed adjacent upper wall 12 of upper housing section 22 and having two pairs of lateral support members 46 and 48 dependent from base plate 44. The upper and lower support frames are best illustrated in FIG. 4 in which they are shown in the operative position of the apparatus in which support member 48 is located outermost. Support members 46 are located in nermost, and each of side plates 38 and 40 is disposed between support members 46 land 43. Suitable means may be provided coupling the side plates and support members ofrthe upper and lower frames for pivotal movement with respect to one another or in an alternative embodiment, the upper and lower housing sections may be pivoted, and the frames may be mounted on the housing sections. Base plate 44 of upper frame 42 is provided with an opening t) through which portions of the housing, including walls 34} and 32 defining passages 26 and 28, extend.

As previously indicated, the document-copying apparatus is designed to produce copies of original documents 7 subject matter on only one side and the material corn-' prising the original is transmissive to light actinic to the photosensitive material. When the original has subject matter on both sides or is not transmissive to actinic light, the reflex exposure is used; and this involves transmitt-ing the actinic light through the photosensitive sheet Exposure of the to the surface (of the original) to be copied which reflects some of the light back to the photosensitive material further exposing the photosensitive material to form an image therein. g p

The photosensitive image-recording sheet, designated 52, is in the form of an elongated web or strip of sufiicient length to make a plurality of copies and is mounted on a spool 54 of conventional design and including shafts on its end engaged for pivotal movement in mounting clamps 56 supported on side plates 38 and 4-0 of the lower frame near end wall its. A supply of a second or imagereceiving sheet 58 preferably equal in width and length to the photosensitive sheet is coiled on a conventional spool 60 including shafts at its end-s pivotally engaged in mounting clamps 62 supported on side plates 38 and an adjacent the opposite end of lower frame 34 from spool 54 and located so that spool 60 is disposed within the upper, overhanging portion of the housing closely adjacent upper wall 12 and end wall 20.

' The apparatus includes means for subjecting the imagerecording sheet to both reflex and direct types of exposure comprising two sources of illumination and means for conducting the photosensitive sheet and an original in superposition past the sources of illumination to effect exposure of the photosensitive sheet. The sources of illumination are essentially the same and may comprise incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, fluorescent lamps and electroluminescent sources of light. In each case, however, the light reaching the photosensitive material is emitted from an elongated member at least equal in length to the width of the image-recording sheet and extending transversely of the path of movement of the image-recording sheet past the light source In the form shown, each light source is of the electroluminescent type comprising an electroluminescent phosphor and electrodes through which current is passed for exciting the phosphor to light emission. The lightemitting electroluminescent sources each comprising the phosphor and electrodes, designated with the reference numeral 64, are elongated, extending from side to side of the imagerecord-in-g sheet; and each is mounted within a channelshaped support member 66in position to emit light toward the other electroluminescent source. One of the electroluminescent sources and the channel in which it is mounted are mounted on lower frame 34 between side plates 38 and 40 while the other electroluminescent source and channel are mounted on upper frame 42 between support members 46. The phosphor comprising each electroluminescent source;is selected to emit light, actinic to the photosensitive material comprising the image-recording sheet preferably within the visible wave tion to the upper. electroluminescent light source 64 and the channel 66 in' which it is mounted. Tube 68 is formed of a material transparent to actinic light such as glass or organic plastic materials and is mounted for rotation about its axis in a manner to be described. Distribution of a processing liquid vbetween an exposed area of the image-recording sheet and an area of second sheet 58 superposed therewith is accomplished by moving the sheets in superposition between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members shown herein as rolls 7d and 72. The motive power for rotating feed ro=ll78 is derived from the photosensitive sheet at tube 68 which is rotated by the photosensitive sheet and in turn drives roll 78 through a transmission so as to advance an original document from the apparatus through passage 28 following exposure of a photosensitive sheet in superposition with the original. Roll 78 is mounted for rotation about its axis on support members 46 and is connected through an overrrunning clutch 89 and a shaft 99 to a crank or knob 92 located outside of the housing in position to be grasped and rotated manually. Knob 92 may be rotated in a clockwise direction viewing FIGS. 4 through 6 for rotating roll 78 so as to feed an original document through passage 26 into the apparatus. in the operation of the device, the leading edge of an original, held in one hand, is introduced into passage 26 into the bite of rolls 78 and 8t and knob 92 is rotated with the other hand to advance the original into the housing between tube 68 and photosensitive sheet 52. This now leaves both the operators hands free to operate the apparatus since it is no longer necessary to hold or support the original in position Within passage 26 to be drawn into the apparatus. A commutator and contacts 288 are provided coupled with roll 72 for operating the light source. Tube t8 and the light source and channel enclosed within the tube are mounted at their ends on support plates 94 each mounted in turn on a support member 46 by a pair of shoulder screws 96 threaded into a support member 46 and engaged in a slot 93 in support plate 94 thereby permitting limited movement of the support plate and tube 68 with respect to rolls 78, '80 and 82 mounted on support members 45. Each of support plates '94- is biased by a spring 100 urging tube 68 downwardly away from roll 78; and includes a downwardly extending portion on the lower extremity of which is mounted a hub 162. Each end of channel 66, located within tube 68, is secured to a support sleeve 104 engaged in hub 182. Extending through each of sleeves 164 is an insulating sleeve 1% surrounding an electrical connector 108 for supplying current to the electrolumiuescent light source. Tube 68 is mounted on hubs 110 at its ends, and these in turn are mounted for rotation on the inner ends of hubs 102. One of hubs 110 comprises a pulley. Another pulley, designated 112, is coupled with roll 78, and an O ring 114 is provided for coupling the two pulleys so that rotation imparted to either tube 68 or roll 78 is transmitted to the other. By virtue of this arrangement, when the photosensitive sheet is moved through the apparatus to be exposed and processed, tube 68 is rotated in turn rotating rolls 78, 8t) and 82 to advance the original from the apparatus through passage 28 while knob 92 outside of the housing remains stationary as a result of the coupling of the knob to roll 78 through overrunning clutch 89, shown incorporated into pulley 11-2. The movable mounting of tube 68 on support plates 94 in turn mounted on upper frame 42' insures both the right tension on O ring 114 and the proper positioning of the tube with respect to guide roll 74 and roll '72 mounted on lower frame 34 when the two frames are pivoted into operative position. Guide roll 74 and roll 72 are mounted in fixed position so that the tube is free to move into proper position when engaged between the two rolls upon movement of the trames into operative position.

Each successive area of the photosensitive sheet is advanced between pressure-applying rolls 70 and 72 in superposition with second sheet 58 and a liquid processing composition is distributed between the sheets. Each of rolls 78 and 72, in the form shown, comprise a rigid cylindrical metal core with an outer covering of an elastomeric material. Roll 72 is mounted in fixed position between side plates 38 and 40 while roll 78 is mounted with its axis in the same plane as the axis of roll '72 for movement toward and away from roll 72. As a means for mounting roll 78, there are provided a pair of arms 230 each pivotally mounted at one end on a side plate 38 or 40 with roll 70 journaled at its ends in the other ends of arms 230. Tension springs 234 are provided coupled between each of arms 230 and the side plate (38 or on which the arm is mounted for urging roll 70 downward toward roll 72 into juxtaposition with the latter for applying compressive pressure to the photosensitive and second sheets as the latter are advanced in superposition between rolls 70 and 72. The processing liquid is provided between the sheets on at least one of the sheets in the vicinity of the bite of rolls 70 and 72 and is distributed between and in contact with the sheets at the bite of the rolls as the sheets are advanced therebetween. In the document-copying apparatus shown, the processing liquid for each exposed area of the photosensitive sheet is provided on second sheet 58 in the form of an elongated mass extending from side to side of the second sheet near the leading edge of the area of the second sheet which is superposed with the exposed area of the photosensitive sheet. Second sheet 58 extends from spool 68 around a portion of the periphery of roll '70 into superposition with photosensitive sheet 52 at the bite of rolls 7t; and 72-, and it is on the portion of the second sheet extending between spool and roll 70 that this mass of processing liquid is provided for subsequent distribution between the sheets. As the two sheets are advanced, the mass of processing liquid is carried by the second sheet into the bite oi rolls 70 and 72 Where it is caused to be advanced relative to and in contact with the sheets toward the trailing end of the exposed area of the photosensitive sheet. Some of the liquid adheres to the facing surfaces of the sheets and is carried between the pressure-applying rolls and serves to adhere the two sheets together to form a sandwich. Only a portion of the mass of liquid provided for processing each exposed area of the photosensitive sheet is carried by the sheets between the pressure-applying rolls so that a quantity of the liquid may remain between the sheets at the bite of the rolls after an exposed. area of the photosensitive sheet has passed between the pressure-applying rolls.

The processing liquid required for each exposed area of the photosensitive sheet is supplied in an elongated tubular container very much like a conventional drinking straw. This container, designated 128 in FIG. 2, contains a cavity of substantially round cross section approximately equal in length to the width of the exposed area of the photosensitive sheet and filled with the processing liquid. The liquid-filled portion of the container is sealed at both ends to prevent escape of the liquid and the admission of air into the container, and the seal at one end of the container, termed the trailing end, is constructed so as to become unsealed, in response to the generation of hydraulic pressure within the liquid, to form a discharge mouth, preferably equal in area to the cross sectional area of the liquid-filled cavity, through which the fluid contents of the container are discharged. Containers of this type, their construction and function are described in detail in the copending US. application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 820,266, filed June 15, 1959, now Patent Number 3,047,387.

The apparatus includes means for allowing the container to be introduced into the apparatus so that it extends across and adjacent a portion of second sheet 58 in the position shown in FIG. 2 located above sheet 58. These means comprise a funnel-shaped tube 122 mounted between support members 46 and 48 with its flared end opening outside of the housing and with its narrow, tubular end disposed within the housing to the inside of support member 46. Tube 122 is positioned for guiding container 128 into the housing into the position shown with the container extending across the second sheet from side to side thereof. Introductory movement of the container may be arrested by a stop provided on the support member 46 located on the opposite side of the apparatus from tube 122 with the trailing end of the container located at substantially in alignment with the lateral edge of the area of the second sheet in contact with Which the liquid is to be distributed. The fluid contents of the container compressing the container at a location adjacent the inner end of tube 122 and the lateral edge of the area of the'second sheet to be treated and withdrawing the container, while applying compressive pressure to it, across the second sheet through tube 122 from the housing.

Means are provided within the housing mounted on support member 46 for engaging and applying compressive pressure. to the container during withdrawal movement thereof. These means comprise a backing member 124- mounted in fixed position on support member 46 adjacent one side of the opening at the inner end of tube 122. A compression member 126 is mounted for pivotal movement intermediate its ends on support member 46. The inner end of compression member 126 is movable toward and away from the inner end of backing member 124 for engaging and compressing the container between the inner ends of members 12 4 and 126.

The apparatus includes means actuated by rotation of knob 92 for pivoting compression member 126 toward backing member 124 to compress the container during Withdrawal thereof across the second sheet between the backing and compression members. These means are responsive to the rotation of knob 92 for moving the backing and compression members toward one another as an original document is being fed into the apparatus and comprise a earn 128 mounted on shaft 90 intermediate support members 46 and 48. Knob 92 and shaft 96 are designed to be rotated through 180 for feeding an original into the apparatus with detent means 93, comprising a spring disc and two balls, being provided within knob 92 for limiting the movement of the knob and shaft. Cam 123 coacts with one arm designated 130 of a V-shaped crank 132 including a second arm 134 and mounted for pivotal movement at the apex of arms 130 and 13d on a stud 136 supported between support members 46 and 43. Arm

(not shown) in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG.

6 to the position shown in FIG. 11, to retain arm 13% in contact with cam 128. When cam 128 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 12 crank 132 is pivoted by the cam in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 12 applying tension to spring 138 for pivoting compression member 126 to move the end thereof opposite spring 133 toward backing member 124. Spring 1138 is provided as a connection between arm 134 and compression member 126 to insure the application of a uniform predetermined pressure on the container regardless of the manner in which cam 128 is rotated, and this pressure is designed to compress the pod sufliciently to cause the complete ejection of its fluid contents while not engaging the pod so firmly as to prevent its withdrawal between the compression and backing members.

Crank 132 is pivoted during the initial operation of the apparatus prior to exposure of an area of the photosensitive sheet to be treated with the liquid contents of the container which is being compressed by the rotation of crank 132; and accordingly, means are provided for retaining crank 132 in the pivoted position so that the compressionmember and the backing member retain their grip on the container until after withdrawal of the container from the apparatus. These means comprise a latch member 140 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a stud 142 supported on one of support members 48. Latch member 140 is biased for rotation (in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 7counterclockwise viewing FIGS.

11 through 14) and is pivotable in a clockwise direction from its rest position shown in FIG. 11. Latch member 140 is provided with a pin 14, which in the rest position of the latch member is located against the end of arm 134, the latter being inclined so as to coact with pin 144 to pivot latch member 141) in a clockwise direction when cam 128 is pivotedthrough to rotate crank 132 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 12. After the end of arm 134 has moved past and from engagement with pin 144, latch member 14.6 returns in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 12, to its original position with pin 144 underlying'the end of arm 134 and preventing clockwise movement of crank 132. Means including a second pin 146 on the opposite end of latch member 1443' are provided for preventing counterclockwise motion of the latch member past its position of rest and from its latch position and will bedescribed more fully hereinafter. 7 e a e As previously noted, the photosensitive and second sheets are moved through the apparatus to expose and process the sheets and to operate the apparatus by engaging a portion of a sandwich comprising the superposed sheets and drawing'the sandwich between rolls '71 and 72 (to the right) viewing FIG. 2 through opening 35 in end wall 33. Movement of the sheets is a manual operation, and means are provided operable manually for gripping the sandwich and drawing it between rolls 711 and 72 through opening 35. The length of the sandwich drawn at any time between the pressure-applying rolls is predetermined and includes an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet,an equal length of the second sheet and additional lengths of the two sheets intermediate the exposed area of the photosensitivesheet. These additional lengths, kept to a minimum because they represent waste, are necessary to provide a leader at the leading end of the exposed area which extends from tube 68 between rolls Wtand 72 and beyond the rolls a sufiicient length to permit engagement of the sandwich and to collect any processing liquid distributed past the trailing end of the exposed area. The means for ripping a sandwich and withdrawing it between the pressure-applying rolls also cooperate to meter the lengths of the two sheets advanced through the apparatus and between the pressure-applying rolls during exposure and processing of each successive exposed area of the photosensitive sheet.

Spool 60, on which is coiled a supply of second sheet 58, is located in a portion of the upper housing section 22 of housing 141 adjacent end wall 2t? which overhangs the lower section 24- of the housing, the latter terminating inthe region of rolls '70 and 72 at end wall 33 although sidewalls 16 on the lower housing section extend to end Wall 2t). The means for gripping and advancing the sandwich is mounted under this overhanging portion of the upper housing section between side walls 16 and is movable reciprocally with respect to rolls 7d and 72 between a position underlying the portion of the housing adjacent end wall 33 to a position remote from the pressure-applying roll and apart from the housing. These means comprise a frame or carriage, generally designated 1%, including lateral support members 150' spaced from one another by a distance greater than the width of the sheets and a transverse member 152 joining the support members and cooperating to provide a passage through:

which the sandwich is moved relative to the carriage. Transverse member 152 includes a manually engageable outer end'section 156 and an inner end section bent upwardly and back upon itself to form a fixed gripping jaw 158. Jaw 158 is at least equal in length to thewidth of the sandwich, extends transversely of the direction of movement of the sandwich and has a gripping surface located, at the retracted position of the carriageshown in FIG. 2, closely adjacent pressure-applying roll 72 and the lower side of the path of movement of the sandwich between the pressure-applying rolls. The upper surface of gripping jaw 158-, which faces the path of movement.

of the sheets, is designed to contact the photosensitive sheet and may be provided with a suitably roughened or serrated configuration to prevent slippage of the sandwich when gripped.

The gripping means include another gripping member movable toward and away from gripping jaw 158. This movable gripping member designated 160 includes an elongated gripping jaw 162 disposed in juxtaposition with jaw 158, at least equal in length to jaw 158 and having a lower gripping surface facing the gripping surface of jaw 158, located adjacent and to the opposite side of the path of movement of the sandwich and roughened or serrated in a manner complementary to jaw 158 so as to cooperate with the latter for preventing slippage of the sandwich. Jaw 162 is mounted at its ends on a pair of arms 164 in turn pivotally mounted on shafts 166 pivotally mounted on lateral support members 150 of carriage 148. law 162 is thus pivotable toward and away from jaw about the axis of shafts 166 which axis is located approximately in the path of movement of the sandwich between jaws 158 and 162. The jaws are positioned for gripping the sandwich in the vicinity of rolls 70 and 72 and moving with the carriage on which they are mounted in engagement with the sandwich to a position remote from the pressure-applying rolls for withdrawing a predetermined length of the sandwich between the pressure-applying rolls.

Following withdrawal of a length of the sandwich including an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet and a corresponding area of the second sheet on which a transfer print is formed, the portion of the sandwich withdrawn, and including the print, must be severed from the remainder of the sandwich extending between the pressureapplying rolls so that the two sheets comprising the sandwich may be separated from one another, and the print (a copy of the original document) may be utilized for its intended purposes. Accordingly, the apparatus includes a cutting device associated with the gripping means for severing the portion of the sandwich extending beyond the gripping means from the portion of the sandwich extending between the pressure-applying rolls and the gripping jaws. This cutting device comprises a rotary knife 168- including end members 171} and on which the knife, which is at least equal in length to the width of the sheets, is mounted coaxially with gripping member 160 on shafts 166. The knife in the rest position shown in FIG. 2 is disposed to the same side (upper) of the path of movement of the sandwich as jaw 162 and includes a helical cutting edge positioned to cut against a corner of an anvil 172, equal in length to knife 168 and mounted on transverse member 152 adjacent jaw 158. Anvil 172 is mounted on transverse member 152 for pivotal movement of the cooperating corner of the anvil toward and away from knife 168 and is biased by spring means in a clockwise direction (viewing FIG. 2) toward the knife. The end members 170 supporting knife 168 include circular peripheries located in the cylindrical plane of movement of the cutting edge of the knife and cooperate with a face of the anvil at the corner thereof for locating the anvil in proper position with respect to the cutting edge of the knife.

The gripping and cutting device includes a movable lever 174 comprising a. pair of arms 176 each pivotally mounted at one end on a lateral support member 150 for rotation about an axis parallel with and adjacent the axis of knife 168. Mounted on the opposite ends of arms 176 is a connecting member 173 located outside of the apparatus in juxtaposition with outer end section 156 and located on the opposite side of the path of movement of the sandwich from end section 156. At least one of arms 176 is provided on its end with a sector gear 180 meshed with a pinion 182 keyed to one of shafts 166 so that rotary movement of lever 174 (viewing FIG. 2) is transmitted to the knife rotating the latter in a clockwise direction. In the operation of the cutting and gripping device, end section 156 and connecting member 178 are grasped manually to pivot movable lever 174 toward end section 156 of transverse member 152. This in turn causes pivotal movement of the knife and the movable gripping member 166 toward a-nv-il 172 and gripping jaw 158. Movable gripping jaw 162 is connected to the knife through a torsion spring 177 seated in a recess in end member 171). Spring 177 biases jaw 162 in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 2, movement of the latter relative to the knife being limited by a pin 179 on member engaged in a sector-shaped recess 181 in arm 164. By virtue of this construction, jaw 162 moves ahead of the cutting edge of the knife and grips the end of the sandwich extending beyond rolls 7t) and 72 and the movable and fixed gripping jaws and comes to a stop while rotation of the knife continues. Any part of the sandwich extending past the corner of anvil 172 between the latter and the knife is severed from the portion of the sandwich engaged between jaws 162 and 158. The outer end section 156 of transverse member 152 and connecting member 173 of lever 174 also provides means which can be engaged manually for moving carriage 148 and the gripping and cutting device mounted thereon from the position shown in FIG. 2 away from rolls 70 and 72 to draw the sandwich gripped between jaws 162 and 158 between rolls 7t) and '72.

The apparatus includes means for mounting the carriage for reciprocal movement toward and away from the pressure-applying rolls. These means also determine the distance through which the carriage is moved and hence the length of the sandwich advanced between the pressure-applying members. The length of the sandwich, as previously noted, is at least equal to the length of an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet to be treated and a run-out length equal approximately to the length of the portion of the photosensitive sheet extending between the knife and guide roll 74 when the carriage is in the retracted position shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12. The means for supporting the carriage for reciprocal movement compnise two sets of extensible supporting tracks mounted on opposite sides of the apparatus with the carriage supported between the sets of tracks. Each set of tracks comprises three individual tracks including a fixed track 184 having a C-shaped cross section comprising upper and lower guides 186 mounted on base plate 36 adjacent a side plate 38 or 40; an intermediate track 133 having a C-shaped cross section .slidably engaged between upper and lower guides 186 of fixed track 134 and including upper and lower guides 190; and an end track 192 including upper and lower edges 194 slidably engaged between upper and lower guides 19E) of intermediate track 188. To facilitate telescoping movement of the tracks with respect to one another, the upper and lower guides, the fixed and intermediate tracks and the upper and lower edges of the end tracks are provided with matching grooves 196 for containing ball bearings 198. The upper and lower guides 186 of med track 184 and edges 194- of end track 192 are each provided with a single groove 196 with the grooves in the upper and lower guides 186 of the fixed track facing one another and being in the lower and upper surfaces respectively of the upper and lower guides while the grooves in the upper and lower edges respectively of end track 192 face away from one another. The upper and lower guides 190 of intermediate track 188 are each provided with two grooves in opposite surfaces located in alignment with corresponding grooves in the fixed and end tracks. The number of balls provided in each pair of grooves 196 in adjacent portions of the tracks are sufiicient to fill approximately one third of the length of the grooves and cooperate with stop pins at the ends of the grooves for limiting the extension of the telescoping tracks. The stop pins designated 200 include pins on the outer ends of the grooves in upper and lower guides 186; on the inner ends of the grooves in the upper and lower faces of upper and lower guides 190 respectively; on the outer ends of the grooves in the lower and upper faces of upper and lower guides 190 respectively; and in the inner ends of grooves in upper and lower edges 194. Carriage 148 is supported between end tracks 192, and the length of the tracks and the dimensions of the carriage are such that in the retracted position of the tracks, the tracks and carriage are located almost entirely within the housing during the terminal portion of the movement of the track into extended position whereby lever 236 is pivoted from the initial position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in a counterclockwise direction through an intermediate position, shown in FIG. 13, to a terminal position shown in FIG. 14.

Levers 236 are biased by resilient means (not shown) into the initial position shown in FIG. 11 and are pivoted by the intermediate tracks against the bias of this means. Mounted on each of arms 231i intermediate the ends of the arm is a cam follower 244 pivoted at one end to the arm and having a V-shaped downwardly projecting cam engagement section with an apex lying closest to the pivot designated 246. Cam follower 244 is biased by a spring 249 in a clockwise direction, viewing FIGS. 11 through 15, so that the free end of the cam follower rests against a stop pin 250 mounted on arm 230. Hub 242 is provided with a cam 252 movable in an arc intersecting apex 246 of cam follower 24.4 from the rest position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (at the right of apex 246) through an intermediate position shown in FIG. 13 in which cam 252 and apex 246 are in engagement to a terminal position shown in FIG. 14 at which the cam is located to the left of the cam follower. The design of the cam follower and particularly the apex thereof is such that movement of the cam in engagement with the follower from right to left, as described, causes pivotal movement of arm 230m a clockwise direction thereby spacing roll 70 apart from roll 72 during the pivotal movement of lever 236 at the terminal portion of the extending movement of the intermediate track. When the intermediate track is returned to its retracted position and pin 240 is disengaged from bar 241, lever 236 pivots under the bias of a resilient means in a clockwise direction to its initial position; and the design ofcam follower 244 permits cam 252 to pivot cam follower 244, during return movement of the cam and control lever, without pivoting :arm 23%. 7

Movement of the tracks and carriage into extended position also releases crank 132 for return movement in a clockwise direction to the initial position of the crank shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, thereby permitting com pression member 126, which cooperates with backing member 124 to compress a container of processing liquid, to pivot away from the backing member and thereby permit the introduction of another container into the apparatus at the commencement of exposure and processing of the next successive area of the photosensitive sheet. For this purpose, hub 242 is provided with a second cam 254 having a path of movement intersecting pin 146 on the lower end of latch member 140. Cam 254 engages pin 146 to pivot latch member 149 in a clockwise direc tion as shown in FIG. 13 disengaging pin 1 34 from arm 134 of crank 132 to allow the latter to rotate in a clockwise direction until arm 1311 comes to rest against cam 128 as shown in FIG. 14.

By virtue of the construction shown and described, the pressure-applying rolls arespaced 'apartfrom one another momentarily during the terminal portion of withdrawal movement of the sandwich thereby trapping processing liquid between portions of the photosensitive and second sheets at the trailing edge of the exposed and processed area of the photosensitive sheet. These portions of the sheets between which the processing liquid is retained are located, when the sandwich comes to rest, intermediate gripping jaws 158 and 162 and pressure-applying rolls 70 and 72, and hence at the leading edge of the next successive areas of the sheets to be exposed and processed so that these portions of the sheets are withdrawn at the leading end of the sandwich when the next successive areas are processed by withdrawal between rolls 70 and 72. Provision is made in the apparatus for severing the portion of the sandwich containing an exposed area and .a transfer print, and include a stop for arresting the return movement of the carriage from its fully extended position at an intermediate position in which knife 163 and anvil 172 are located adjacent the leading edge of the processed areas of the sheets intermediate the leading edge thereof and the mass of liquid collected between the sheets. At this point, connecting member 178 may he pivoted toward outer end section 156 to sever the end section of the sandwich containing the processing liquid from the remainder of the sandwich containing the transfer print. The means for arresting the movement of the carriage in a partially retracted position include levers 256 each mounted in a recess 258 in the side of an end track 192. Each of levers 256 is mounted for pivotal movement, intermediate its ends, about a pin 260 engaged in a slot 262 in the intermediate portion of the lever so as to allow for axial as well as pivotal movement of the lever. Lever 256 is biased for axial movement in the return direction of the tracks by a U-shaped spring 264 engaged between an end of lever 256 and the end wall of recess 258 farthest from the housing, and is biased for pivotal movement in a counterclockwise direction, viewing FIG. 16, by a spring 266 engaged between the opposite end of lever 256 and the bottom wall of recess 258. A projection 268 is provided on the end of lever 256 closest to the housing, and spring 266 biases lever 256 outwardly so that projection 268 extends beyond the surface of end track 192 and during return movement of the end track with respect to intermediate track 188, engages the end of intermediate track 188 preventing retraction of the end track into the intermediate track. When projection 26% becomes engaged with the end of the intermediate track, lever 256 is displaced against spring 264. The end of lever 256 opposite projection 263 is provided with an inwardly projecting cam section 270 which is engaged by an arm 176 of movable lever 174 when the movable lever is pivoted to actuate knife 163. This causes pivotal movement of lever 256 in a clockwise direction withdrawing projection 268 into recess 258 from engagement with the end of intermediate track 138 allowing lever 256 to move to the left, viewing FIG. 16, under the bias of spring 264 thus locating projection 268 within recess 258 between track 192 and track 1188 so that end track 192 may thereafter be retracted into track 188 following release of movable lever 174 for return movement to its initial position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings. The carriage is then moved to its fully retracted position, and lever 174 is again pivoted to sever the portion of the sandwich containing a transfer from the portion of the sandwich extending between the pressure-applying rolls. Each of intermediate tracks 188 is provided with an opening 274 for engaging projection 268 when the tracks are in the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 11 preventing extension of end track 192. This construction thereby functions to restrain the carriage against movement until movable lever 174 is pivoted moving the gripping jaws together into engagement with the sandwich and actuating the knife thus assuring extension of the carriage only when an end of the sandwich has been gripped between jaws 158 and 162.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In photographic apparatus in which successive predetermined lengths of a photosensitive sheet are advanced and during advancement are photoexposed and thereafter moved between a pair of juxtaposed members which superpose a second sheet with said photosensitive sheet and distribute a processing liquid between said sheets to form a sandwich, in combination:

a carriage;

support means mounting said carriage for movement toward and away from said juxtaposed members between a first position in which said carriage is disposed adjacent said juxtaposed members and a second position in which said carriage is displaced a predetermined distance from said juxtaposed members;

, a backing member mounted on said carriage and, in said first position thereof, located closely adjacent said juxtaposed members to one side of the path of movement of said sandwich between said juxtaposed members;

'said backing member including a cutting section transversely of the direction of movement of said sandwich and having a length at least equal to the width of said sandwich, and a gripping section disposed between said cutting section and said juxtaposed members; a

a gripping member mounted on said carriage for movement from the side of said path opposite said backing member toward said backing member to engage said sandwich between said gripping section and said gripping member;

a cutting member having a length at least equal to the width of said sandwich mounted on said carriage ttor movement from said side of said path opposite said backing member toward and into engagement with said cutting section for severing said sandwich against said cutting section of said backing member; and

actuating means mounted on said carriage and including a member engageableexterior of said apparatus tor moving said carriage from said first to said second position and for simultaneously moving said gripping and cutting members toward said backing member so as to grip said sandwich and thereafter sever a portion of said sandwich from the portion of said sandwich gripped between said backing member and said gripping member.

2. ln photographic apparatus in which successive areas of a photosensitive sheet are photoexposed and predetermined lengths of said photosensitive sheets including said areas are moved between a pair of juxtaposed members which superpose a second sheet with said photosensitive sheet and distribute a processing liquid between said sheets to dorm a sandwich, in combination:

a carriage;

support means mounting said carriage for reciprocal movement relative to said juxtaposed members between a first position at which said carriage is disposed adjacent said juxtaposed members and a second position at which said carriage is displaced a predetermined distance from said juxtaposed members;

a backing member mounted on said carriage and, in said first position thereof, located closely adjacent said juxtaposed members to one side of the path of movement of said sandwich between said juxtaposed members;

said backing member including a cutting section having an elongated cutting edge at least equal in length to the width of said sandwich and extending transversely of the direction of movement of said sandwich, and i a gripping section located between said juxtaposed members and said cutting section for engaging one of saidsheets comprising said sandwich; t

a cutting member including an elongated cutting edge at least equal in length to the width of said sandwich mounted on said carriage for rotary movement of said cutting edge from a position to the'side of said path opposite'said backing member toward and into engagement with said cutting edge of said cutt'mg section for severing said sandwich against said cutting section; V

a gripping member mounted on said carriage coaxially with said cutting members for rotary movement from a position to said side of said path opposite said backing member toward said gripping section into engagement with said sandwich; and

actuating means including a member coupled with said iii cutting member and engageable exterior of said apparatus for rotating said cutting member to sever said sandwich; said gripping member being coupled with said cutting member through resilient means for rotating said gripping member into engagement with said sandwich during and in response to the initial rotation of said cutting member prior to complete severance gripping member for supporting and guiding said .sandwich when said carriage is in said second position and during movement of said carriage between said first and said second positions.

5. The photographic apparatus of claim 4 in which said extensible means comprise two pairs of springs mounted on opposite sides of said path and the springs of each of said pairs are arranged in the form of an X. 6. In photographic apparatus in which successive areas of a photosensitive sheet are photoexposed and predetermined lengths of said photosensitive sheet, eachincluding one of said areas, are moved between a pair of juxtaposed members which superpose a second sheet with said photosensitive sheet and distribute a processing liquid between said sheets to form a sandwich, in combination:

a chassis mounting said juxtaposed members;

a frame;

extensible support means comprising a plurality of coacting support members. mounting said carriage on said trame tor reciprocal movement with respect to said frame and said juxtaposed members between a retracted position in which said carriage is disposed adjacent said juxtaposed members and an extended position in which said carriage is displaced a predetermined distance 'from said juxtaposed members;

a backing member mounted on said carriage and, in

said retracted position thereof, located closely adjacent said juxtaposed members to one side of the path of movement of said sandwich between said juxtaposed members; 7

a gripping member mounted on said carriage tor movement from the side of said path opposite said backing member toward said backing member to engage said sandwich between said backing and gripping members;

an elongated cutting member extending transversely of the direction of movement of said sandwich mounted on said carriage or movement from said side of said path opposite said backing member toward and into engagement with said backing member for severing said sandwich against said backing member;

said support means mounting said carriage for reciprocal movement or" said backing member substantially in a plane adjacent said path of movement of said sandwich; and

actuating means mounted on said carriage and including a member engageable exterior. of said apparatus for moving said carriage between said retracted and extended positions, and for simultaneously moving said gripping and said cutting members toward said backing member so as to grip said sandwich intermediate said cutting member and said juxtaposed members and sever a portion of said sandwich from the portion of said sandwich gripped between said backing member and said gripping member.

7. The photographic apparatus of claim 6 in which said support means include at least two of said support mem- 17 hers movable relative to one another in engagement with one another, arresting means mounted on one of said support members iior engaging the other of said support members for arresting movement of said carriage from said extended position to said retracted position in a third position intermediate said retracted and extended positions.

8. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said actuating means, when operated to sever said sandwich, coact with said arresting means to disengage the latter from said other support member and permit movement of said carriage from said third to said retracted position.

9. The photographic apparatus tot claim 6 in which said support members include means for spacing said juxtaposed members apart from one another during the terminal portion of the movement of said carriage into said extended position. a

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 including resilient means for biasing said juxtaposed members toward one another and holding means for retaining said juxtaposed mernibers in spaced apart relation; and in which said support members include means coactin'g with said holding means to release said juxtaposed members tor movement toward one another when said carriage is in said extended position.

11. In photographic apparatus of claim 6 in which said frame includes means mounting said juxtaposed members for movement toward and apart from one another and means for biasing said juxtaposed members toward one another; said support members include means cooperating with said means mounting said juxtaposed members during the terminal portion of movement of said carriage into said extended position for spacing said juxtaposed members apart from one another during the movement of a predetermined length of said sandwich between said juxtaposed members, and means for Iarresting the movement of said carriage from said extended position at a third position spaced from said extended position by a distance approximately equal to said predetermined length of said sandwich moved between said juxtaposed members when said members are spaced apart.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6 comprising a pair of compression members, means for moving said compression members toward one another into juxtaposition in engagement with a container of processing liquid for ejecting the fluid contents of said container onto one of said sheets, and holding means for retaining said compression members in juxtaposition; and in which said support members include means coacting with said holding means during the terminal portion of movement of said carriage into said extended position for releasing said compression members for movement from one another when said carriage is in said extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,671,393 Land Mar. 9, 1954 2,692,540 Bing Oct. 26, 1954 2,783,697 Eisner Mar. 5, 1957 2,835,179 Fairbank May 20, 1958 

1. IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS IN WHICH SUCCESSIVE PREDETERMINED LENGTHS OF A PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET ARE ADVANCED AND DURING ADVANCEMENT ARE PHOTOEXPOSED AND THEREAFTER MOVED BETWEEN A PAIR OF JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS WHICH SUPERPOSE A SECOND SHEET WITH SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET AND DISTRIBUTE A PROCESSING LIQUID BETWEEN SAID SHEETS TO FORM A SANDWICH, IN COMBINATION: A CARRIAGE; SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTING SAID CARRIAGE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH SAID CARRIAGE IS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID CARRIAGE IS DISPLACED A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; A BACKING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND, IN SAID FIRST POSITION THEREOF, LOCATED CLOSELY ADJACENT SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS TO ONE SIDE OF THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SANDWICH BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; SAID BACKING MEMBER INCLUDING A CUTTING SECTION TRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SANDWICH AND HAVING A LENGTH AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID SANDWICH, AND A GRIPPING SECTION DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID CUTTING SECTION AND SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; A GRIPPING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE FOR MOVEMENT FROM THE SIDE OF SAID PATH OPPOSITE SAID BACKING MEMBER TOWARD SAID BACKING MEMBER TO ENGAGE SAID SANDWICH BETWEEN SAID GRIPPING SECTION AND SAID GRIPPING MEMBER; A CUTTING MEMBER HAVING A LENGTH AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID SANDWICH MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE FOR MOVEMENT FROM SAID SIDE OF SAID PATH OPPOSITE SAID BACKING MEMBER TOWARD AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CUTTING SECTION FOR SEVERING SAID SANDWICH AGAINST SAID CUTTING SECTION OF SAID BACKING MEMBER; AND ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND INCLUDING A MEMBER ENGAGEABLE EXTERIOR OF SAID APPARATUS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECOND POSITION AND FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING SAID GRIPPING AND CUTTING MEMBERS TOWARD SAID BACKING MEMBER SO AS TO GRIP SAID SANDWICH AND THEREAFTER SEVER A PORTION OF SAID SANDWICH FROM THE PORTION OF SAID SANDWICH GRIPPED BETWEEN SAID BACKING MEMBER AND SAID GRIPPING MEMBER. 